System and method for utility metering and leak detection

ABSTRACT

The system and method for detecting water and/or gas leaks by monitoring usage patterns is described. In one embodiment, the existence of a leak is detected by looking for usage patterns wherein water or gas is always being used, at least at a low rate. A leak is indicated if usage does not drop to zero, at least for a period of time, during a given time interval (e.g., during a 24-hour period). The severity of the leak is indicated by the minimum amount of usage during the given time period. In one embodiment, the leak detection system is provided in connection with an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/761,760 titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UTILITY METERING AND LEAKDETECTION”, which was filed Jun. 12, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,412,876which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/948,628 titled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UTILITY METERING AND LEAK DETECTION”, which wasfiled Sep. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,726 the entire contents ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for electronicutility (e.g., water and gas) metering and leak detection.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a home or building, utilities such as water and gas are used forvarious reasons throughout the day and night. For example, in homes,water is used randomly and for varying time intervals through the dayand night. Although water usage tends to be less at night, water isstill used (e.g., for toilets, automatic sprinklers, etc.). The waterusage in commercial buildings follows a similar pattern. This makes itdifficult to test for leaks, since there is no predictable time duringthe day or night that water usage drops to zero.

As is known, some waterline leaks can be easily detected because of thepresence of detected ground water or the presence of water puddles inthe vicinity of a water pipe. However, other waterline leaks goundetected until a water bills become unusually high or water damage isdiscovered.

Gas leaks are potentially more dangerous than water leaks, and can bemore difficult to detect.

Owners of large apartment buildings and commercial buildings faceadditional problems in monitoring water usage and leak detection. Theamount of water and other utilities used by such commercial structuresis typically much larger than the usage of a residence or other smallerstructure. Moreover, the plumbing and sprinkler systems of suchstructures tend to be more complex than the systems found in aresidence. Thus, any inefficiencies in the usage of utilities ismagnified in a large commercial structure, and the costs of suchinefficiencies are magnified. For example, in a large commercialstructure, water is used for toilets, industrial processes, heating andair-conditioning, fire sprinkler systems, and irrigation sprinklersystems. The management of a large commercial building often does nothave an accurate accounting of water usage by the various systems. Amaintenance issue as minor as a broken irrigation sprinkler head cancause increased and unnecessary water usage.

Conventional water and gas meters used in connection with residentialand commercial structures measure the total amount of water or gas used,but do not monitor the usage patterns. Thus, conventional meters do notprovide the information needed to detect leaks.

SUMMARY

The system and method disclosed herein solves these and other problemsby detecting water and/or gas leaks -by monitoring usage patterns. Inone embodiment, the existence of a leak is detected by looking for usagepatterns wherein water or gas is always being used, at least at a lowrate. A leak is indicated if usage does not drop to zero (or below somethreshold value), at least for a period of time, during a given timeinterval (e.g., during a 24-hour period). The severity of the leak isindicated by the minimum amount of usage during the given time period.In one embodiment, the leak detection system is provided in connectionwith an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.

In one embodiment, an imaging sensor is provided to a water or gas meterto read various dials on the meter. In one embodiment, an optical sensoris provided to a water or gas meter to read movement of a lowest-leveldials or indicator on the meter. In one embodiment, an acoustic sensoris provided to a water or gas meter to detect flow through the meter.

In one embodiment, the monitoring system interrupts utility service ifutility usage exceeds a set maximum during a given time period. Excesswater usage can occur, for example, if a water line breaks, a buildingowner exceeds usage limits, etc. Excess gas usage can occur, forexample, if a thermostat fails, if a pool heater is left onaccidentally, if a stove is left on accidentally, etc. Thus, forexample, the monitoring system can be configured to shut off utilityservice (or notify the utility to shut off service) if water or gasusage exceeds a maximum during a specified time period (e.g., one hour,one day, one week, etc.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a dial face of a typical water meter register.

FIG. 1B shows a dial face of a typical gas meter register.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an automatic meter reading system for usein connection with a leak detection system.

FIG. 3 illustrates the leak-detection AMR system provided to a watermeter in a retrofit installation.

FIG. 4 illustrates the leak-detection AMR system provided to a watermeter as original equipment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating various sensors that can be usedto detect low-level flow through a water meter or gas meter.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the operation of the ETRunit wherein relatively continuous monitoring is provided.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of operation of the ETRunit wherein periodic monitoring is provided.

FIG. 8A shows one embodiment of a low-flow sensor adapted to measuringleaks in plumbing systems by using a differential pressure sensor.

FIG. 8B shows one embodiment of a low-flow sensor adapted to measuringleaks in plumbing systems by using a pressure sensor.

FIG. 9A shows one embodiment of a system 900 to measure leaks inplumbing systems in connection with a water meter 901.

FIG. 9B shows an integrated low-flow/high-flow meter system thatprovides AMR metering, leak detection, and water shutoff functions.

FIG. 10 shows a water metering system adapted to monitoring water useand/or leaks in connection with a sprinkler valve that provides water toone or more sprinkler heads.

FIG. 11 shows a water metering system adapted to monitoring water useand/or leaks in connection with a manifold having a plurality ofsprinkler valves that provides water to one or more sprinkler heads.

FIG. 12 shows a water metering system adapted to monitoring water useand/or leaks in connection with a commercial structure (or residentialstructure) having one or more water usage zones and one or moresprinkler zones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1A shows a dial face of a typical water meter register 100. Theregister includes a digital indicator 102 that reads water used in cubicft, a radial dial 101 and radial hand 105 that indicate water usagebetween 0 and 1 cu ft, and a low-flow indicator 103 that makes severalrotations for each rotation of the radial hand 105.

FIG. 1B shows a typical gas meter 150. In the meter 150, a group ofradial dials 160-164 display digits corresponding to gas usage in cubicft. In FIG. 1B, the lest-significant digit is displayed by the dial 160and the most significant digit is displayed by the dial 164. The dial160 is similar in effect to the low-flow indicator 103.

Historically, the utility meters shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B were readmanually on periodic basis. Many communities have converted to AutomaticMeter Reading (AMR) systems wherein the register is read electronicallyand remotely. The Automatic Meter Reading system allows the utilitycompany to save on meter reading costs, provide better information aboututility use, and provide more accurate billings. Because the AMR systemsreduce our meter reading and meter maintenance costs, the systemstypically pay for themselves very quickly.

In addition to, or in lieu of, the benefit provided to the utilitycompany the AMR system can also be used by the building owner or managerto provide utility information for a building management system toprovide cost tracking, maintenance diagnostics, leak detection, etc.Thus, in one embodiment, data from the AMR is provided to monitoringsystem such as, for example, a building monitoring system, a homecomputer system, etc.

Water and gas AMR systems are similar in nature, and so much of thefollowing discussion refers to water meters with the understanding thatthe techniques used for water meters can also be used for gas meters.Most AMR systems use miniature radio transmitters attached to the watermeter register 100. Data from the AMR meter can be collect by readingsfrom handheld radio receivers, from moving vehicles, or from fixedreceivers (e.g., mounted in the building, mounted on light poles, etc.).With this process, one driver in a truck is able to read more meters inone day than an entire staff of meter readers. The AMR systems alsoalleviates access problems, since the utility company does not needaccess to the meter in order to obtain a reading. The system also allowsthe building owner or manager to collect utility meter data on a regular(or even continuous) basis.

In an AMR system, the utility meter is equipped with anEncoder-Receiver-Transmitter (ERT) device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram ofan Encoding-Transmitting-Receiving (ETR) ETR unit 200 for use inconnection with a utility meter. In the ETR unit 200, one or moresensors 201 and a transceiver 203 are provided to a controller 202. Thecontroller 202 typically provides power, data, and control informationto the sensor(s) 201 and the transceiver 202. A power source 206 isprovided to the controller 202. An optional tamper sensor 205 (notshown) is also provided to the controller 202.

In one embodiment, the transceiver 203 is configured for wirelesscommunication. In on embodiment, the transceiver 203 is configured forwire or fiber-optic communication on a computer network, telephonenetwork, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates the leak-detection AMR system provided to a watermeter in a retrofit installation. The sensors 201 are configured as asensor module 302 that is provided to the meter to read the meterregister. FIG. 5 describes various sensors that can be used to read aconventional (non-electronic) register. In one embodiment, the sensors201 read the low-flow indicator, such as, for example, a low-flowindicators shown in FIG. 1A or 1B. In one embodiment, the sensors 201reads the low-flow indicator using an imaging sensor such as, forexample, a CCD or CMOS imaging sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors201 reads the low-flow indicator using a illumination source and anoptical sensor, such as, for example, a photodiode, phototransistor, orarray of such. In one embodiment, the sensors 201 reads the low-flowindicator without substantially obscuring the other indicators of themeter. In one embodiment, the sensors 201 is positioned to the side ofthe low-flow indicator such that the low-flow indicator is stillvisible.

FIG. 4 illustrates the leak-detection AMR system provided to a watermeter as original equipment. In FIG. 4, the ERT 202 is provided directlyto an electronic register on the water meter.

In a conventional AMR system, the ERT does not take continuous readings,but rather “sleeps,” waiting for the meter reader to approach. The meterreader's truck-mounted reading device sends out a continuous “wake up”signal. When an ERT receives a wake up signal, it checks the reading onthe meter register, encodes it into a digital signal, and beginstransmitting its identification number and the current reading. After afew minutes, the ERT stops transmitting and goes back “to sleep,”waiting for the next “wake up” signal. The truck-mounted computer systemmatches the ERT identification number with your property and records thereading. At the end of the day, the meter reader unloads the informationto the utility company billing system.

The ERT is an electronic device designed to read the meter register andtransmit the signal. The radio signals used to wake up the ERT and totransmit the signals are relatively weak, typically operating in the 900MHz frequency band. The devices are usually powered by two long-lastingbatteries, designed to last 15 to 20 years. Pit ERTs are usually usedfor meters located in pits outside the building. Remote ERTs are usedwhen the meter is inside the building or when the ERT needs to belocated some distance away from the meter.

The Pit ERT mounts directly on the cast iron or concrete lid of anoutdoor meter pit. It is typically sturdy enough to stand up to theweather and a certain amount of traffic load. In one embodiment, the ERTlooks like a black mushroom with a 7-inch diameter cap and a 2-inchdiameter “stem” that passes through a hole in the lid. A wire connectsthe ERT to the meter register. In sidewalks, a special lid is used thatholds the ERT underneath and out of the way of pedestrians.

In one embodiment, the monitoring system includes a battery-operated ETRunit 200 that detects a condition, such as, for example, water or gasflow. The ETR unit is provided to a utility meter for a building,apartment, office, residence, etc. In order to conserve battery power,the ETR unit is normally placed in a low-power mode. In one embodiment,while in the low power mode, the ETR unit takes regular sensor readingsand evaluates the readings to determine if an anomalous conditionexists. In response to a wake-up signal, the ETR unit also “wakes up”and sends status information to the base unit (or reading device) andthen listens for commands for a period of time.

In one embodiment, the ETR unit 200 is bi-directional and configured toreceive instructions from the reading device. Thus, for example, thereading device can instruct the sensor to: perform additionalmeasurements; go to a standby mode; wake up; report battery status;change wake-up interval; run self-diagnostics and report results; etc.In one embodiment, the ETR unit also includes a tamper switch. Whentampering with the sensor is detected, the sensor reports such tamperingto the base unit. In one embodiment, the ETR unit reports its generalhealth and status to the reading device (e.g., results ofself-diagnostics, battery health, etc.).

In one embodiment, the ETR unit provides two wake-up modes, a firstwake-up mode for taking measurements (and reporting such measurements ifdeemed necessary), and a second wake-up mode for listening for commandsfrom the reading device. The two wake-up modes, or combinations thereof,can occur at different intervals.

In one embodiment, the ETR units use spread-spectrum techniques tocommunicate with the base unit and/or the reading device. In oneembodiment, the ETR units use frequency-hopping spread-spectrum. In oneembodiment, each ETR unit has an Identification code (ID) and the ETRunits attaches its ID to outgoing communication packets. In oneembodiment, when receiving wireless data, each ETR unit ignores datathat is addressed to other ETR units.

In one embodiment, the ETR unit 200 provides bi-directionalcommunication and is configured to receive data and/or instructions fromthe reading device. Thus, for example, the reading device can instructthe ETR unit 200 to perform additional measurements, to go to a standbymode, to wake up, to report battery status, to change wake-up interval,to run self-diagnostics and report results, etc. In one embodiment, theETR unit 200 reports its general health and status on a regular basis(e.g., results of self-diagnostics, battery health, etc.)

In one embodiment, the ETR unit 200 provides two wake-up modes, a firstwake-up mode for taking measurements (and reporting such measurements ifdeemed necessary), and a second wake-up mode for listening for commandsfrom the reading device. The two wake-up modes, or combinations thereof,can occur at different intervals.

In one embodiment, the ETR unit 200 use spread-spectrum techniques tocommunicate with the reading device. In one embodiment, the ETR unit 200uses frequency-hopping spread-spectrum. In one embodiment, the ETR unit200 has an address or identification (ID) code that distinguishes theETR unit 200 from the other ETR units. The ETR unit 200 attaches its IDto outgoing communication packets so that transmissions from the ETRunit 200 can be identified by the reading device. The reading deviceattaches the ID of the ETR unit 200 to data and/or instructions that aretransmitted to the ETR unit 200. In one embodiment, the ETR unit 200ignores data and/or instructions that are addressed to other ETR units.

In one embodiment, the sensor 201 communicates with the reading deviceon the 900 MHz band. This band provides good transmission through wallsand other obstacles normally found in and around a building structure.In one embodiment, the sensor communicates with the reading device onbands above and/or below the 900 MHz band. In one embodiment, thesensor, reading device, and/or base unit listen to a radio frequencychannel before transmitting on that channel or before beginningtransmission. If the channel is in use, (e.g., by another device such asanother reading device, a cordless telephone, etc.) then the sensor,reading device, and/or base unit changes to a different channel. In oneembodiment, the sensor, reading device, and/or base unit coordinatefrequency hopping by listening to radio frequency channels forinterference and using an algorithm to select a next channel fortransmission that avoids the interference. Thus, for example, in oneembodiment, if a sensor senses a dangerous condition and goes into acontinuous transmission mode, the sensor will test (e.g., listen to) thechannel before transmission to avoid channels that are blocked, in use,or jammed. In one embodiment, the sensor continues to transmit datauntil it receives an acknowledgement from the base unit that the messagehas been received. In one embodiment, the sensor transmits data having anormal priority (e.g., status information) and does not look for anacknowledgement, and the sensor transmits data having elevated priority(e.g., excess smoke, temperature, etc.) until an acknowledgement isreceived.

Frequency-hopping wireless systems offer the advantage of avoiding otherinterfering signals and avoiding collisions. Moreover, there areregulatory advantages given to systems that do not transmit continuouslyat one frequency. Channel-hopping transmitters change frequencies aftera period of continuous transmission, or when interference isencountered. These systems may have higher transmit power and relaxedlimitations on in-band spurs.

In one embodiment, the ETR unit 200, the reading device, and the readingdevice communicate using FHSS wherein the frequency hopping of the ETRunit 200, the reading device, and the reading device are notsynchronized such that at any given moment, the ETR unit 200 and thereading device are on different channels. In such a system, the readingdevice communicates with the ETR unit 200 using the hop frequenciessynchronized to the reading device rather than the ETR unit 200. Thereading device then forwards the data to the ETR unit using hopfrequencies synchronized to the ETR unit 200. Such a system largelyavoids collisions between the transmissions by the reading device andthe reading device.

In one embodiment, the ETR units 200 uses FHSS and the ETR units 102-106are not synchronized. Thus, at any given moment, it is unlikely that anytwo or more of the ETR units will transmit on the same frequency. Inthis manner, collisions are largely avoided. In one embodiment,collisions are not detected but are tolerated by the system 100. If acollision does occur, data lost due to the collision is effectivelyre-transmitted the next time the ETR units transmit sensor data. Whenthe ETR units and reading device units 110-111 operate in asynchronousmode, then a second collision is highly unlikely because the unitscausing the collisions have hopped to different channels. In oneembodiment, the ETR units, and the reading device use the same hop rate.In one embodiment, the ETR units and the reading device use the samepseudo-random algorithm to control channel hopping, but with differentstarting speeds. In one embodiment, the starting speed for the hopalgorithm is calculated from the ID of the ETR units or the readingdevice.

In an alternative embodiment, the base unit communicates with the ETRunit 200 by sending a communication packet addressed to the readingdevice, where the packet sent to the reading device includes the addressof the ETR unit 200.

In one embodiment, the transceiver 203 is based on a TRF 6901transceiver chip from Texas Instruments, Inc. In one embodiment, thecontroller 202 is a conventional programmable microcontroller. In oneembodiment, the controller 202 is based on a Field Programmable GateArray (FPGA), such as, for example, provided by Xilinx Corp. In oneembodiment, the sensor 201 includes an optoelectric sensor configured todetect movements of a display on the utility meter. In one embodiment,the sensor 201 includes an imaging sensor configured to read the utilitymeter. In one embodiment, the sensor 201 includes an illumination devicefor illuminating the utility meter display. In one embodiment, thesensor 201 includes an acoustic sensor for detecting the acoustic soundsof flow through the utility meter. In one embodiment, the sensor 201includes a register sensor for reading an electronic utility meterregister.

The controller 202 receives sensor data from the sensor(s) 201. Somesensors 201 produce digital data. However, for many types of sensors201, the sensor data is analog data. Analog sensor data is converted todigital format by the controller 202. In one embodiment, the controllerevaluates the data received from the sensor(s) 201 and determineswhether the data indicates a leak or other anomalous condition. In oneembodiment, the controller 202 evaluates the sensor data by comparingthe data value to a threshold value (e.g., a high threshold, a lowthreshold, or a high-low threshold). If the data is outside thethreshold (e.g., above a high threshold, below a low threshold, outsidean inner range threshold, or inside an outer range threshold), then thedata is deemed to be anomalous or indicative of a leak. In oneembodiment, the data threshold is programmed into the controller 202. Inone embodiment, the data threshold is programmed by the reading deviceby sending instructions to the controller 202.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating various sensors that can be usedto detect low-level flow through a water meter or gas meter. In oneembodiment, an acoustic sensor is provided to the meter to detect flowthrough the meter. In one embodiment, an imaging sensor 501 is providedto the meter to read the digital indicators 102 and/or the dials160-164. In one embodiment, an illumination source 502 is provided toilluminate the digital indicators 102 and/or the dials 160-164 for theimaging sensor 501. In one embodiment, an illumination source 504 andoptical sensor 503 are provided to detect movement of the radial hand105 and/or the fine sensor 103. The acoustic sensor 509, the imagingsensor 501, and/or the optical sensor 503 are embodiments of the sensor201 shown in FIG. 2. Other sensors, such as, for example, magneticsensors, can be used in combination with the acoustic sensor 509, theimaging sensor 501, and/or the optical sensor 503 or used thealternative.

The acoustic sensor 509, the imaging sensor 501, and/or the opticalsensor 503 are provided to the controller 202. The controller reads theutility meter by collecting data from the acoustic sensor 509, theimaging sensor 501, and/or the optical sensor 503.

In one embodiment, the controller 202 reads the sensors 201 at regularperiodic intervals. In one embodiment, the controller 202 reads thesensors 201 at random intervals. In one embodiment, the controller 202reads the sensors 201 in response to a wake-up signal from the readingdevice. In one embodiment, the controller 202 sleeps between sensorreadings.

In one embodiment, the controller 202 reads the fine detail indicator103 or the lowest-order indicator 160 on a regular (or random) basis inorder to detect leaks. In one embodiment, the controller 202 wakes upand takes a series of readings from the low-flow indicator 103 or thelower-order indicator 160 on a programmed basis to determine usagepatterns and for leak detection. If the controller 202 determines thatutility usage appears to be continuous then the controller 202 assumes aleak exists.

In one embodiment, the controller 202 uses artificial intelligence todetermine a sensor reading interval. In one embodiment, the controller202 reads the low-flow indicators on a period basis. If the controller202 determines that usage is zero during a prescribed number ofintervals, then the controller assumes that no leak exists and thecontroller can program a relatively long interval between readings. Ifthe controller determines that usage is never zero, then the controller202 assumes that a leak may exist, and the controller can program arelatively shorter interval between readings in order to search for aninterval when no usage occurs. If the relatively shorter interval stilldoes not produce a zero reading, then the controller 202 can, in oneembodiment, take continuous readings for a period of time (e.g., 24hours, 48 hours, etc.) to search for a period when no usage occurs. Ifthe controller is unable to find a period when usage is zero, then thecontroller reports a leak condition. In one embodiment, the controller202 reports minimum utility usage to the query device to allow theutility company to evaluate possible leak conditions.

In one embodiment, the controller 202 is configured to use a thresholdvalue (rather than zero) in making determinations regarding possibleleak conditions.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the operation of the ETRunit 200 wherein relatively continuous monitoring is provided. In FIG.6, a power up block 601 is followed by an initialization block 602.After initialization, the ETR unit 200 checks for a fault condition(e.g., activation of the tamper sensor, low battery, internal fault,etc.) in a block 603. A decision block 604 checks the fault status. If afault has occurred, then the process advances to a block 605 were thefault information is transmitted to the reading device (after which, theprocess advances to a block 612); otherwise, the process advances to ablock 606. In the block 606, the ETR unit 200 takes a sensor readingfrom the sensor(s) 201. The sensor data is subsequently evaluated in ablock 607. If the sensor data is abnormal, then the process advances toa transmit block 609 where the sensor data is transmitted to the readingdevice (after which, the process advances to a block 612); otherwise,the process advances to a timeout decision block 610. If the timeoutperiod has not elapsed, then the process returns to the fault-checkblock 603; otherwise, the process advances to a transmit status block611 where normal status information is transmitted to the readingdevice. In one embodiment, the normal status information transmitted isanalogous to a simple “ping” which indicates that the ETR unit 200 isfunctioning normally. After the block 611, the process proceeds to ablock 612 where the ETR unit 200 momentarily listens for instructionsfrom the monitor reading device. If an instruction is received, then theETR unit 200 performs the instructions, otherwise, the process returnsto the status check block 603. In one embodiment, transceiver 203 isnormally powered down. The controller 202 powers up the transceiver 203during execution of the blocks 605, 609, 611, and 612. The monitoringreading device can send instructions to the ETR unit 200 to change theparameters used to evaluate data used in block 607, the listen periodused in block 612, etc.

Relatively continuous monitoring, such as shown in FIG. 6, isappropriate for ETR units that sense relatively high-priority data(e.g., smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, flammable gas, etc.). By contrast,periodic monitoring can be used for sensors that sense relatively lowerpriority data (e.g., humidity, moisture, water usage, etc.). FIG. 7 is aflowchart showing one embodiment of operation of the ETR unit 200wherein periodic monitoring is provided. In FIG. 7, a power up block 701is followed by an initialization block 702. After initialization, theETR unit 200 enters a low-power sleep mode. If a fault occurs during thesleep mode (e.g., the tamper sensor is activated), then the processenters a wake-up block 704 followed by a transmit fault block 705. If nofault occurs during the sleep period, then when the specified sleepperiod has expired, the process enters a block 706 where the ETR unit200 takes a sensor reading from the sensor(s) 201. The sensor data issubsequently sent to the monitoring reading device in a report block707. After reporting, the ETR unit 200 enters a listen block 708 wherethe ETR unit 200 listens for a relatively short period of time forinstructions from monitoring computer 708. If an instruction isreceived, then the ETR unit 200 performs the instructions, otherwise,the process returns to the sleep block 703. In one embodiment, thesensor 201 and transceiver 203 are normally powered down. The controller202 powers up the sensor 201 during execution of the block 706. Thecontroller 202 powers up the transceiver during execution of the blocks705, 707, and 708. The monitoring reading device can send instructionsto the ETR unit 200 to change the sleep period used in block 703, thelisten period used in block 708, etc.

In one embodiment, the ETR unit transmits sensor data until ahandshaking-type acknowledgement is received. Thus, rather than sleep ifno instructions or acknowledgements are received after transmission(e.g., after the decision block 613 or 709) the ETR unit 200 retransmitsits data and waits for an acknowledgement. The ETR unit 200 continues totransmit data and wait for an acknowledgement until an acknowledgementis received. In one embodiment, the ETR unit accepts an acknowledgementfrom a reading device and it then becomes the responsibility of thereading device to make sure that the data is forwarded to the readingdevice. In one embodiment, the reading device does not generate theacknowledgement, but rather forwards an acknowledgement from the readingdevice to the ETR unit 200. The two-way communication ability of the ETRunit 200 provides the capability for the reading device to control theoperation of the ETR unit 200 and also provides the capability forrobust handshaking-type communication between the ETR unit 200 and thereading device.

Regardless of the normal operating mode of the ETR unit 200 (e.g., usingthe Flowcharts of FIGS. 6, 7, or other modes) in one embodiment, themonitoring reading device can instruct the ETR unit 200 to operate in arelatively continuous mode where the sensor repeatedly takes sensorreadings and transmits the readings to the monitoring reading device.

In one embodiment, a shutoff valve is provided, so that the monitoringsystem 100 can shutoff the water supply when a leak and/or energy usageis detected. In one embodiment, the shutoff valve is controlled by theETR unit 200. In one embodiment, the ETR unit 200 receives instructionsfrom the reading device to shut off the water supply. Similarly, in oneembodiment, the ETR unit 200 controls a gas shutoff valve to shut offthe gas supply when a gas leaks is detected.

In one embodiment, data from the ETR unit 200 is provided to amonitoring system The monitoring system gathers water (or other utility)usage data from each of the meters and records utility usage througheach meter. In one embodiment, water leaks are detected by examiningdata from the ETR unit 200 for the lowest flow rate. An occasional flowrate of zero indicates that there are no leaks. If the flow rate neverdrops to zero, then either there is a leak or some appliance or systemis using water continuously (e.g., a drip irrigation system). If the usenever drops to zero, and there is a leak, then the lowest flow ratelikely corresponds to the leak flow rate. If the use never drops tozero, then the monitoring system (or utility) can warn the buildingowner or manager that a leak is suspected. AMR systems where the ETRunit sleeps until awakened by a “wake up” signal and then read theutility meter (e.g., once per month) cannot be used for leak detectionbecause such systems only obtain accumulated data from the mechanicaldigital indicators 102 on the meter. Leak detection is based onrelatively continuous monitoring (or monitoring at regular or randomintervals) such that flow during times when only a leak is flowing ismeasured. Moreover, detecting leaks by looking for continuous flow doesnot provide information on the severity of the leak, since merelyknowing that water flowed continuously does not indicate what the lowestflow rate is. In one embodiment, the monitoring system calculates waterwasted by leaks in the system according to the severity of the leak(e.g., water wasted per day is approximately the leak flow rate per hourtimes 24). In one embodiment, the monitoring system provides graphs ofutility usage by day, by time of day, by month, etc.

In some cases, conventional water meters used for providing water tobuildings do not read accurately, if at all, at the lowest flow ratesproduced by a small leak. FIG. 8A shows one embodiment of a low-flowsensor system 800 for measuring leaks in plumbing systems by using adifferential pressure sensor 804. An electrically-controlled valve 802is provided to a water service line. The first input of the differentialpressure sensor 804 is provided to the water service line on the inputside of the valve 802, and a second input of the differential pressuresensor 804 is provided to the water service line on the output side ofthe valve 802. A controller 803 is provided to the valve 802 and thepressure sensor 804. In one embodiment, the differential pressure sensorprovides an output signal that is related to the pressure differencebetween the first input and the second input. In one embodiment, thepressure sensor is configured as a switch that opens or closes when thepressure differential exceeds a specified value.

To test for leaks, the controller 803 sends an electrical signal toclose the valve 802. When the valve is closed, the controller 803obtains sensor data from the sensor 804. If there is a leak in theplumbing attached to the output side of the valve 802, then a pressuredifference will be measured by the sensor 804. The severity of the leakis related to the speed at which the pressure differential increases. Ifthe sensor 804 is configured as a switch, then the severity of the leakis related to the amount of time that elapses between the closing of thevalve 802 and the operation of the switch in response to the pressuredifferential. Since water is a relatively non-compressible fluid, apressure difference across the valve 802 will arise relatively quickly,and thus the meter controller only needs to close the valve for arelatively short period of time. In one embodiment, the controller 803immediately opens the valve 802 upon reaching a specified pressuredifferential. A substantial increase in the slope of the differentialpressure curve (i.e., the change in differential pressure versus time)is typically indicative of the opening of a valve downstream of thevalve 802. Thus, in one embodiment, the controller 803 immediately opensthe valve 802 upon sensing such a change in slope.

If water is flowing in the water service line (when the valve 802 isopen), then a relatively small pressure differential will be measured bythe sensor 804. If no water (or very little water) is flowing in thewater service line, then no pressure differential will be measured bythe sensor 804. In one embodiment, the controller 803 does not close thevalve 802 when the differential pressure measured by the pressure sensor804 suggests that water is flowing in the line. In one embodiment, whenthe valve 802 is closed during a leak test, the controller 803 senseswhen a water valve downstream of the valve 802 has been opened becauseof the relatively sudden increase in the differential pressure sensed bythe pressure sensor 804. When such an event occurs, the controller 803terminates the leak test by immediately opening the valve 802.

In one embodiment the controller “tests” for water flow by partiallyclosing the valve 802. If water is flowing in the water service line,then partial closure of the valve 802 will cause the differentialpressure sensor 804 to sense a pressure difference. By contrast, if onlyleakage water is flowing in the water service line, the partial closureof the valve 802 will not cause a significant pressure differential. If,through partial closure, the controller 803 determines that water isflowing in the line, then the leak test is terminated. If, throughpartial closure, the controller 803 determines that no water (or verylittle water) is flowing in the line, then the valve 802 is fully closedfor the leak test. Partial closure allows the low-flow system 800 totest for leaks without substantially impacting normal water usage.

FIG. 8B shows one embodiment of a low-flow sensor system 801 formeasuring leaks in plumbing systems by using a pressure sensor 808. Thesystem 801 includes the electrically-controlled valve 802 and thecontroller 803. The pressure sensor 808 is provided to the water serviceline on the output side of the valve 802. The output of the pressuresensor 808 is provided to the controller 803. In one embodiment, thepressure sensor 808 provides an output signal that is related to thepressure in the output line. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor isconfigured as a switch that opens or closes when the pressure exceeds aspecified value.

To test for leaks, the controller 803 sends an electrical signal toclose the valve 802. When the valve is closed, the controller 803obtains sensor data from the sensor 808. If there is a leak in theplumbing attached to the output side of the valve 802, then a drop willbe measured by the sensor 804. The severity of the leak is related tothe speed at which the pressure drops. If the sensor 808 is configuredas a switch, then the severity of the leak is related to the amount oftime that elapses between the closing of the valve 802 and the operationof the switch in response to the pressure drop. Since water is arelatively non-compressible fluid, the pressure will drop relativelyquickly, and thus the meter controller only needs to close the valve fora relatively short period of time. In one embodiment, the controller 803measures a relative pressure drop by obtaining a pressure reading fromthe pressure sensor 808 before closing the valve. The controller 803 canthen compare the difference in the pressure measured by the sensor 808before and after the closing of the valve 802.

If water is flowing in the water service line (when the valve 802 isopen), then the pressure measured by the sensor 808 will be relativelyless than the static pressure in the line. In one embodiment, the sensordetermines a static pressure by obtaining sensor data readings from thepressure sensor 808 over a period of time and determining a maximumsteady-state (non-transient) pressure. In one embodiment, the controller803 does not close the valve 802 when the pressure measured by thepressure sensor 808 is relatively lower than the static pressure (by athreshold amount). In one embodiment, when the valve 802 is closedduring a leak test, the controller 803 senses when a water valvedownstream of the valve 802 has been opened because of the relativelysudden pressure drop sensed by the pressure sensor 808. When such anevent occurs, the controller 803 terminates the leak test by immediatelyopening the valve 802. In one embodiment, the controller 803 immediatelyopens the valve 802 upon reaching a specified relative pressure drop. Asubstantial increase in the slope of the pressure curve (i.e., thechange in pressure versus time) is typically indicative of the openingof a valve downstream of the valve 802. Thus, in one embodiment, thecontroller 803 immediately opens the valve 802 upon sensing such achange in slope.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the systems 800,801 can also be used for measuring leaks in gas systems (e.g., naturalgas, propane, etc.).

The low-flow sensor systems 800, 801 can be used alone or in connectionwith an AMR water meter as described in connection with FIGS. 1A and2-7. In one embodiment, the low-flow sensor systems 800, 801 areconfigured to test for leaks when the AMR water meter determines thatlittle or no water is flowing.

FIG. 9A shows one embodiment of a system 900 to measure leaks inplumbing systems in connection with a water meter 901. The water meter901 can be a conventional water meter or an AMR water meter (as shown).The differential pressure sensor 804 is provided to the input and outputof the water meter 901. The water meter 901 produces a pressure dropwhen water is flowing through the meter, and the water meter 901produces no pressure drop when no water is flowing through the meter.Thus, if there are not leaks in the system fed by the meter 901, duringperiods of no water flow, the differential pressure sensor 804 willmeasure substantially no pressure difference. The pressure differencemeasured by the pressure sensor 804 when a leak exists will dependsomewhat on the position of the turbine blades (or impeller) blades inthe meter 901 when the meter stops turning. In some cases, for smallleaks, there is not enough water flowing through the meter 901 to causethe impeller to turn. Moreover, for a given flow rate due to a leak, thepressure drop across the meter 901 varies somewhat depending on theorientation of the impeller. Thus, in one embodiment, the controller 903determines the likelihood of a leak based on a statistical analysis.Over a period of time, the impeller blades will stop in variousorientations. The controller 903 takes readings over a number of days todetermine the statistically lowest pressure difference. Thestatistically lowest pressure difference is then related to themagnitude of any leaks in the system.

FIG. 9B shows a block diagram of an integrated low-flow/high-flow metersystem 901 that provides AMR metering, leak detection, and water shutofffunctions. In the system 901, a relatively low-flow sensor 909, such as,for example, the low-flow sensor systems 800 or 801 is provided inseries with a conventional water meter apparatus 908. The relativelylow-flow sensor 909 and the meter apparatus 908 are provided to acontroller 910. In one embodiment, the controller 910 provides AMRfunctions. In one embodiment, the controller 910 periodically takeslow-flow sensor readings using the low-flow sensor 909 when the meterapparatus 908 indicates that no water is flowing. In one embodiment, thecontroller 910 uses an electrically-controlled valve in the low-flowsensor 909 to shut off water through the system 910. In one embodiment,the controller 910 shuts off the water in response to a command from anexternal source. In one embodiment, the controller 910 shuts off thewater in response to an apparent plumbing system malfunction (e.g., asignificant and continuous flow of water indicative of a break in awater line or failure of a valve, a significant leak, etc.).

FIG. 10 shows a water metering system 1000 adapted to monitoring wateruse and/or leaks in connection with a sprinkler valve that provideswater to one or more sprinkler heads. In the system 1000 a flow meter1001 is provided in series with a sprinkler valve. In one embodiment,the flow meter 1001 is configured as an AMR meter (e.g., such as themeter shown in FIG. 1A, an ultrasonic flow meter, or other metertechnology). In one embodiment, the flow meter 1001 is configured as alow-flow meter system such as the low-flow meter systems 800, 801. Inone embodiment, the electronically-controlled valve 802 shown in FIGS.8A and 8B is used as the sprinkler valve 1002. In one embodiment, thelow-flow/high-flow meter system 901 is used to provide water to one ormore sprinkler heads (where the system 901 provides the functions of theflow meter 1001 and sprinkler valve 1002.

FIG. 11 shows a water metering system adapted to monitoring water useand/or leaks wherein the flow meter 1001 is provided to a manifold 1101.The manifold 1101 is provided to sprinkler valves 1110, 1111 and 1112. Asprinkler controller 1102 provides control signals 1120-1122 to thesprinkler valves 1110-1112, respectively. The control signals are alsoprovided to a monitoring system 1103. An output from the flow meter 1001is also provided to the monitoring system 1103. One of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the functions of the controller 1102 and themonitoring system 1103 can be combined. The monitoring system 1103monitors and records water flow through each of the valves 1110-1112 byrecording water flow data from the flow meter 1001 when each of thevalves 1110-1112 is opened.

The systems 1000 and 1100 allow a building owner or other party tomonitor and track water use by a sprinkler or irrigation system on azone by zone basis. The systems 1000 and 1100 can report damaged ormissing sprinkler heads because water flow is generally excessivethrough a damaged or missing head. The systems 1000 and 1100 can alsoreport clogged heads because water flow through a clogged head is belownormal.

FIG. 12 shows a water metering system combining various elements fromFIGS. 1-11 for monitoring water use and/or leaks in connection with acommercial structure (or residential structure) 1250 having one or morewater usage zones and one or more sprinkler zones. Water from the waterutility company is provided through a main meter 1201 to the building1250 through one or more (optional) meters 1202 and 1203. Water from themain meter 1201 is also provided to flow meters 1204 and 1205. The flowmeter 1204 provides water to a manifold that services a group ofsprinkler valves 1220. The flow meter 1205 provides water to a manifoldthat services a group of sprinkler valves 1221. The sprinkler valves1220 are controlled by a sprinkler controller 1210, and the sprinklervalves 1221 are controlled by a sprinkler controller 1211. The sprinklercontrol lines, and meters 1202-1205 are provided to a monitoring system1230. In one embodiment, the meter 1201 is also provided to themonitoring system 1201. The flow meters 1202-1205, and optionally 1201are configured to provide water usage data to the monitoring system1230. In one embodiment, the flow meters 1202-1205, and optionally 1201are configured to provide low-flow sensing for detecting leaks.

The monitoring system 1230 gathers water usage data from each of themeters and records water usage through each meter. In one embodiment,the monitoring system 1230 calculates water wasted by leaks in thesystem according to the severity of the leak and the amount of time theleak has existed. In one embodiment, the monitoring system 1230 providesgraphs of water usage by zone, by day, by time of day, by month, etc.

Various types of flow meters or flow sensors can be used measure theflow of water or gas or other utilities in connection with the leakdetection and monitoring techniques described herein. The traditionalwater meter and gas meters are based on turbines or impellers that spinin response to flow. Other types of flow meters (flow sensors) can alsobe used, such as, for example, a differential-pressure flow meter, anorifice plate flow meter, a venturi tube flow sensor, a flow nozzle flowmeter, a variable area flow meter or rotameter, a velocity flow meters,a calorimetric flow meter, a turbine flow meter, a vortex flow meter, anelectromagnetic flow meter, a positive displacement flow meter, a massflow meter, a thermal flow meter, etc., and combinations thereof.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is notlimited to the details of the foregoing illustrated embodiments and thatthe present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributed thereof; furthermore,various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the inventions. For example, althoughspecific embodiments are described in terms of the 900 MHz frequencyband, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that frequencybands above and below 900 MHz can be used as well. The wireless systemcan be configured to operate on one or more frequency bands, such as,for example, the HF band, the VHF band, the UHF band, the Microwaveband, the Millimeter wave band, etc. One of ordinary skill in the artwill further recognize that techniques other than spread spectrum canalso be used and/or can be use instead spread spectrum. The modulationuses is not limited to any particular modulation method, such thatmodulation scheme used can be, for example, frequency modulation, phasemodulation, amplitude modulation, combinations thereof, etc. Theforegoing description of the embodiments is therefore to be consideredin all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, with the scope ofthe invention being delineated by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

1. A method for detecting leaks, comprising: monitoring a utility meterat desired intervals using a sensor that senses a least one output ofsaid utility meter; recording a minimum utility usage; and identifyingan absence of a utility leak by searching for one or more time periodswhen recorded water flow does not exceed a predetermined non-zerothreshold.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensorcomprises an optical sensor.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said atleast one sensor comprises an imaging sensor.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein said at least one sensor comprises an illumination source. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises anacoustic sensor.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least onesensor comprises an electronic utility meter interface.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a recorderinterface.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensorcomprises a water flow sensor.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said atleast one sensor comprises a gas flow sensor.